Frame structure for motor-vehicle license plates



Dec. 3, 1929. E. ANDERSON FRAME STRLJCTURE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES Filed Deo. 5, 192'? R m Nm E5 Vr me m 2 Z m Patented Dec. 3, 1929 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f EMIL ANDERSON, OF BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF'TI-IREE-FOU'RTHS TOOLSON BROTHERS SAW MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 'A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK FRAME STRUCTURE FOR MOTOR-VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES Application led December 3, 1927. --Seral No. 237,405.

This invention relates to frame structures for motor vehicle license plates.

License plates for motor vehicles are often cheaply7l made and have rough, sharp edges.

` Such edges are dangerous as the car user is apt to cut himself on the front plate when cranking the car or on the rear plate when working around the rear end of the car. Moreover, many plates are so cheaply made that they are very unattractive in appearance.y Also, the plates often rattle and squeak due to the vibration of the engine or the motion of the chassis or car body.

This invention has for its salient object to provide an attractiveedging or frame for automobile license plates comprising a minlmum number of parts and va frame that is simple in construction, economical to mannfacture and can be easily and quickly secured to any size of license plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame of the class specified that will effectively prevent injury from the .sharp edges of the plate and will, furthermore, add to the attractive appearance of the plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide in combination with a frainefor license plates. a clampso constructed and arranged thatall rattles, squeaks or other noises due to the vibration of the car or engine will be effectively prevented.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the drawings which form a part of this application, and in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a license plate with a frame and clamps constructed in accordance with the invention secured thereto;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the plate, frame and clamps secured to a bracket;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken through the frame and a portion of the platehsecured therein;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing one of the clamps;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the clamp shown in Fig. 4; and

IFigs. 6 and 7 are sectional elevations showing slightly modified forms of frame Construction.

gether and cemented or otherwise secured beneath a clamp. The strip is so formed that. it will readily bend around the corners of the plate and is also provided with a thickened portion in alinement with the periphery of the plat-e so as to effectively enclose the rough edge of the plate and prevent injury therefrom. The clamps used in conjunction with the framing strip are also formed of rubber and are provided with projecting portions adapted to engage bars or brackets by means of which the-platey is secured in place and to prevent engagement with such metal parts of the bolts. In one form of the invention, the framing strip has a groove formed therein adapted to receive a wire for more firmly sew curing the strip on the plate and preventing any possible sagging thereof between the clamps. Further details of the invention will appear vfrom the following description.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the frame consists of a strip lO formed of rubber and as shown in Fig. 3, having a pair of walls 11 and 12. The walls yon their free ends are separated as shown at 15 and the remaining portions of the walls are recessed to provide an enlarged opening 16 adapted to receive the bead 17 usually formed adjacent the edge of the plate. A groove 18 is also provided to receive the outer periphery of the plate and the strip adjacent the groove is thickened as shown at 20 to prevent the periphery of the plate from cutting through the framing strip and to provide sufcient material to cushion or enclose the rough outer edge of the plate, thus preventing injury therefrom. y I f The walls 11 and 12 are reduced in thickness as shown at-21 to facilitate the-bendingk or curving of the framing strip around the corners of the plate. y v l Inorder to readily adapt the yframing strip torplates 'of different sizes, the frame is applied in strip form and the ends are ce-f mented or otherwise secured together as shown at 25A in'Fig. l, the joint preferably -r in) being enclosed Within one of the clamps 26.

The clamps 26 are also formed of rubber and preferably of relatively heavy or thick rubber. Each clamp has a recess 30 so shaped as to conform to the outer surface of the strip and has walls 5l .and 32 separated by a ser or slot 4,33 which as shown in Fig. 5 leads to the recess 30. Since the clamp is formed of rubber, the Walls 31 and 32 can be spread apart to receive the frame and Vouter portion of the plate. vThe walls 81 and 32 are fur-ther provided with alined openings 36 and 37 adapted to receive securing screws or bolts 38 Which are secured by nuts 39.

The license plates asis Well known are usually provided with .slQfs 4.0. adapted to fessi-vs the securise meses and the .Clamps are blass@ @ver the niet@ and framing vstrip in eliminen@ with the slots 4-0- 11A-Will bs ssen fresi'tfi shoving ie Fiss 2 and that the well .32 is Previas@ with s recess, 12 t0 fsssys the est 39 and is Provided with an extension or lug 4,3 adapted as shown in Fig. 2 tok ensss's'fhssrni 4.5 0f the' bracket by meses of -yvhich the plate is secured in position and to hold the nut 3S) in spaced relation to the metal arm, thus preventing any rattling of the plate.

If desired, inorder to more firmly secure thev frame iny position on the plate, the outer edge of the framing strip may be `grooved as shown at 50'in Fig. 6 and a Wire 51 is placed in the groove, the ends of the Wire being suitably drawn together and secured and preferably being positioned beneath one of the Clamps..

In 7 the groove V52 is positioned in one of the Walls of the strip and the vvire 53 is secured therein.

` From the foregoing description it Will be clear that a simple, practical and inexpensive form of frame has been provided for license Plates and that/the frame will effectively slr .C1956 the rough outer edge of the plate, thus preventing injury therefrom.` Furthermore, it vvillbe evidentthat the frame will present an attractive appearance and desired, the frame @sn bs 0f such a .Color sind` design es t0 'harmenzs with the plate or with the.' v19.,.0dy solo? ef the Vshsls- "When the frame is se"- .Cilr'sa es described. all "rs-tiles isqllsaks .0r Other n'oisss dus, te the plate will' b @ffiestvsly Prevents-di' i It 'will als@ les. ebveus that .the design of the frame is the form of a strip andthe simule manner of, appuient-11s. framing sti-ir tothe plates, will render theI partici'ilarly selsble as, it will 'not be necessary for wdsjslsr te Carry diifsrentszss of frames;

Although Certain, speeifcsmbodmsnfs, Qt the invent-ion 'havebeen particularly shown @ed dssmbsd, it Willbs liedsrstee that the in t'enls Capable. et' medifieatieu and that einziges. inf the; @assassina and in, the. arrsnsshiset Of-theverses @separating usjrts may. be' made. 'Witheet ,desseins freie, the

spirit er scope of the invention, as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A frame for license plates comprising a strip of rubber having a groove for receiving the edge of the plate, a thickened Wall portion inalinement ivith'the piate,ltlie ends of the strip being secured together, and relatively thin side Wall portions spaced from the plate engaging edges .ofthe frame, to facili; tate bending the'strip around theplate;`

2. A frame for license plates comprising a strip of rubbrhaving 'a recess for receiving the edge of the plate, a thickened Wall portion in valinement 'vvith the plate, the ends of the strip being secured together, and a clamp formed of rubber and lia-vinga recess to receive the lframe and edge portion, the clamp beingaperturedto receive'a securing bolt and having av spacing lug adjacentv the` aperture adapted to engage the part to which the clamp is secured. I

3. A clamp for embracing the outer edge and edge frame of a license plate, said clamp being formed of rubber and having a recess to receive the frame andl a pair of Walls adapted to enga-ge the faces of the plate, said y clamp Walls being apertured to receive'a 'securing bolt and` one Wall having a recess to receive aY nut and a lugV projecting beyond the recessed portion.

4. A clamp for embracing the youter edge and edge frame of a license plate, said clamp having a recess .to receive the frame, anda pair of Walls adapted to engage the faces of to receive a securing bolt, one Wall having a recess to receive anut, and a lug adjacent the aperture and projecting beyond the recessed portion, therebyrto space said pla-te from its support. l' l In witness whereof, I have vhereunto set my hand this 1st day of December, 1927. "l

ANDER SONA ioo the plate, said clamp Walls being apertured "iis 

